uld not forsake him,
even in the last extremity; and in his relief he could scarcely help
shouting aloud for very joy. But fortunately he remembered in time the
absolute necessity for strict silence, and contented himself with
calling in a low voice:

"That's you, Drake, surely?"

"It is that same," responded the little man, in a tone as subdued as
Frobisher's own; "but where the dickens are you? I saw something move
just now, but I'm hanged if I can see a thing now."

"I'm here, just beside this door," replied Frobisher. "I should have
been away an hour ago, if it had not been for this confounded glass."

"But couldn't you manage to get across, if you take it coolly and walk
slowly?" whispered Drake. "If you plant your feet carefully and balance
yourself well before each step, you ought to be able to do it. But
watch you don't slip; that's where the danger comes in."

"D'ye think I should not have done that long ago, skipper, if it had
been possible?" Frobisher whispered. "The thing is impossible, because
they have taken away my boots, and the thin wrappings I have round my
feet would be cut to ribbons in half a dozen steps."

"I might have known," replied Drake. "That's an old game of theirs.
Well, you must be got across somehow, that's clear, and quickly.
There's nobody on guard up above us as yet, but there's no knowing when
they may take it into their heads to post a sentry. H'm!" pulling at
one of the pieces of glass, "the stuff's stuck in too securely to move,
so it's no use thinking of trying to get over the difficulty that way.
And there's neither time nor opportunity to collect anything to lay down
on top of it. There's only one way that I can see, and so let's try
it."

Without waiting for Frobisher to ask his plan, the little man commenced
the dangerous voyage across the pavement of glass. He had a thick stick
in his hand, and Frobisher saw that he was wearing thick, wooden-soled
Chinese boots. Thus provided, Drake succeeded in making the journey in
safety, and in a few minutes stood unharmed by his friend's side,
shaking his hand as though he meant to pull his arm from its socket.

"I'm glad, glad indeed to see you again, laddie," he murmured heartily;
"and more than glad to see that those yellow-skinned pirates have not
deprived you of any of your limbs. That is quite a common trick among
the Chinks."

"And," returned Frobisher heartily, "I don't think I need tell you how
glad I am